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Dermatologist's top 5 DIY skincare ingredients to avoid

A DIY or home remedy is a great way to get your skin healthy. A spot treatment that is inexpensive and can heal your skin without giving it any of the 'chemicals' offered by the beauty industry. However, if you rely on hearsay and use certain ingredients without being careful, it can cause skin problems or strip your skin dry. Before you whip up your next DIY skincare mask, Dr. Jamuna Pai, a noted dermatologist, wants you to be aware of these important points.

First, not all natural ingredients can be considered equal. There is a common misconception that kitchen ingredients are better than over-the-counter products for the skin. Before you start using at-home products, however, it is crucial to know your skin type. While a certain family skin care recipe might have worked in the past, it may not work today. She warns that it is important to seek the advice of a professional to evaluate your skin type.


These are the absolute no-nos Dr. Pai recommends that you follow if you want to give your skin some TLC but not further damage your skin barrier.


Lemon

Lemon


This citric fruit can cause more harm than good for your skin if it is not used with caution. It is rich in vitamin A, which helps brighten the skin. Lemon juice is acidic and can cause skin irritations such as reddening, blistering, dryness, and skin reddening. To avoid sunburn, it is important not to expose your skin to too much sun after applying lemon juice.








Coconut oil and olive oil


You shouldn't use oils in your DIY skincare routine. Although oily skin with dry skin may be able to benefit from the use of oils sparingly to retain moisture can lead to severe acne breakouts for those with more oily skin.



Baking soda



The acid mantle is a protective layer of oil on the skin. Baking soda's high alkaline qualities can alter the pH of the skin and strip it of its natural oils and water. This can cause skin irritations such as dryness, redness, and inflammation.






Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is well-known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities. But, too much vinegar can alter the pH levels of the skin and dry out the skin, leading to irritation and dryness. Vinegar should be avoided by anyone with a history of contact dermatitis or atopic dermatitis.

Toothpaste

The majority of evidence that toothpaste can treat acne is anecdotal. While it has been peddled over the years as a spot treatment, the triclosan in toothpaste can irritate and further aggravate acne, leaving it feeling sore for days afterward.

Toothpaste

Dr. Pai believes that at-home skin care products have many benefits, but caution should be taken when using them. As a rule, it is a good idea to do a patch test before applying any new ingredients to the skin. Even though a certain ingredient may be beneficial for your skin, it can also be dangerous if you use too much. It is best to not leave any ingredient unattended for more than 15-20 minutes. To reduce the chance of sunburns, and make the skin more sensitive, excessive sun exposure must be avoided," she says.

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